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Introduction
The long-awaited and highly anticipated first presidential debate between former President Donald Trump and current Vice President Kamala Harris finally took place in Philadelphia at the National Constitutional Center on September 10, 2024, at 9 PM ET. It was broadcast by ABC News.
The moderators were David Muir, anchor and managing editor of World News Tonight, along with Linsey Davis, anchor of ABC News Live’s Prime.
This debate occurred just one day before one of the most important anniversaries in modern U.S. history — the 24th anniversary of 9/11, the day when Al-Qaeda carried out one of the deadliest and most infamous terrorist attacks, crashing five civilian planes into various targets in the U.S., causing numerous civilian casualties.
It was the first time that the presidential candidates faced each other directly, in front of the curious eyes of the entire nation. The winner of this debate could very well be the next president of the United States.
The debate’s rules were identical to those from Trump’s previous face-off against current President Joe Biden in June on CNN. Biden, however, has since stepped down from the race, passing the torch to his vice president, Kamala Harris.
A few key rules included the muting of the microphone of the non-speaking candidate, no audience in attendance, and no notes allowed — only paper, a pen, and a bottle of water were placed on each candidate’s podium.
The Debate
As the candidates took the stage, Harris was the first to approach Trump, introducing herself and offering a handshake. Trump accepted, and the debate began.
Economy and Costs of Living
The first question was about the economy and housing prices — a topic repeatedly raised by voters — and whether America is better off now compared to four years ago.
Vice President Harris was articulate and clearly well-prepared, outlining her “Economy of Opportunity” plan, which focused on boosting the middle and working classes.
She pointed out that Trump only caters to the wealthy and aims to introduce the so-called “Trump sales tax” of 20%, which would disproportionately hurt the average American, adding an estimated $4,000 per year to their expenses.
Of course, Trump retorted that this was a lie. He quickly shifted to discussing the economy, inflation, and the tariffs he imposed on China and other nations, which he claimed earned billions for the U.S. Then, in classic Trump fashion, he pivoted.
“Immigrants are to blame for everything!” Trump declared. “They’re coming from prisons and insane asylums in other countries and stealing jobs from our African-American, Hispanic, and union. They’re taking over our cities and buildings violently, and Harris and Biden brought them here. They’re destroying America, and we need to kick them out.”
This infamous racist rhetoric had no basis in reality and bore no relation to the question he was asked.
Harris remained calm and unfazed by her opponent’s brash tactics. She accused Trump of presiding over the worst unemployment rates ever, mishandling the COVID pandemic, and launching an attack on democracy with his 2025 plan. She warned that tonight we could expect nothing but lies, insults, and mud-slinging from Trump.
“I believe in unity, not division,” Harris said.
She also pointed out that 16 Nobel laureates criticized Trump’s plan, saying it would only increase inflation and lead to a recession.
Trump tried to wiggle out of the situation by claiming he hadn’t read or written the 2025 plan. He blamed the pandemic for everything that went wrong during his term and said that professors from the Wharton School of Finance called his plan brilliant.
Harris also accused Trump of causing the trade deficit and engaging in a trade war that ended with America selling chips to China, which were later used for military purposes. Trump had no clear response.
Instead, he resorted to his old tricks, first calling Kamala “MAGA” and then labeling her and her economist father as Marxists. And, predictably, he once again started harping on about how immigrants are to blame for everything.
Abortion
When asked about abortion, Trump stated that he believes it should only be allowed in cases of rape, incest, or if the mother’s life is in danger. Everything else would be prohibited. He also accused his opponents of wanting abortions in the ninth month and claimed that a former governor of West Virginia had said that after birth, they would decide whether to keep the baby alive.
The moderator was quick to point out that no U.S. state allows the killing of a baby after birth.
Harris added that such outrageous statements and lies were to be expected and pointed out that Trump selected three Supreme Court justices to overturn Roe v. Wade. As a result, abortion is now banned in 20 states, without exceptions for rape or incest, which she called a disgrace.
“Trump wants to ban abortion across the U.S., while I want to make Roe v. Wade the law of the land,” Harris said.
Immigration and Border Security
During the discussion on immigration and border security, the moderator mentioned that Harris had been responsible for finding solutions for migrants from South America and that the numbers of immigrants entering the country under her watch were record-breaking.
Harris responded that she was the only one on stage who prosecuted transnational criminals for weapons, drugs, and human trafficking. She also supported a law that would have sent 1,500 agents to the border to stop the flow of fentanyl, which is devastating the U.S.
“Trump blocked that law by calling his people in Congress,” Harris said.
This topic was Trump’s comfort zone. He eagerly took it up, as he’d been trying to steer the conversation here all along.
“In Springfield, immigrants are eating dogs and cats — the pets of the people living there! I saw it on TV. People want MAGA! Harris is destroying the USA!” Trump rambled.
After this bizarre claim, the moderator noted that the city manager in Springfield confirmed there was no evidence that immigrants were eating pets.
“We have the biggest rallies in political history,” Trump declared, to which Harris responded that at his rallies, he talks about fictional characters like Hannibal Lecter. She invited voters to attend one of Trump’s rallies themselves, saying they’d see people leaving out of boredom.
When the moderator asked how Trump would deport 11 million undocumented immigrants using the National Guard and local police — a part of his plan — Trump didn’t give a direct answer. Instead, he said crime in the U.S. is rising, thanks to a new type of crime he called “migrant crime,” and claimed that the whole world had exhaled with relief after sending their criminals to the U.S.
The moderator pointed out that FBI statistics showed crime was actually declining in the U.S., to which Trump replied, “The FBI lies.”
Harris then brought up Trump’s own legal troubles, which Trump dismissed as political witch hunts orchestrated by Biden. He claimed he would win the majority of cases, arguing there was a “weaponization of the Justice Department” aimed at damaging him.
This image was created using an AI image creation program
Energy
On fracking, Harris said she wouldn’t ban it but emphasized the need to invest in alternative energy sources beyond fossil fuels. America, she argued, must reduce its dependence on foreign oil.
Trump, of course, went on the offensive, claiming that Harris had been trying to ban fracking for 12 years and abandoned every cause she takes on. He accused her of wanting to release murderers from prisons in Minnesota, perform transgender surgeries on immigrants, and take away people’s guns.
“If she’s elected, she’ll destroy oil and fossil fuels, and we’ll be back to windmills and solar panels — entire deserts worth, just for a little energy,” he exclaimed.
Capitol Hill on January 6th
“Mr. Trump, on January 6th, you told your supporters to march on Capitol Hill. Do you regret anything?” asked the moderator.
Trump tried to avoid the question, again pivoting to immigration. He then shifted the blame onto Nancy Pelosi, claiming she failed to do her job by refusing the 10,000 National Guard troops he had supposedly sent to her.
Harris responded that she was present on Capitol Hill that day and that Trump incited a violent mob that injured 140 law enforcement officers, some of whom later died. Of course, Trump had no response other than to babble about immigrants yet again.
2020 Presidential Election
The moderator asked Trump to clarify whether he lost the 2020 election or if it was stolen from him, given his conflicting statements. Trump said he was being sarcastic when he claimed to have lost by a narrow margin and reiterated that the election was stolen.
Harris retorted that 81 million Americans fired Trump and world leaders laughed at him, making him an embarrassment to the U.S.
Trump then cited Viktor Orban, the authoritarian prime minister of Hungary, as a world leader who respects and admires him. According to Trump, Orban says America needs a president who strikes fear into the world and claims that countries like China and North Korea are afraid of him.
Israel, Hamas, Russia, and Ukraine
Harris stated that Israel has the right to defend itself, but that it’s important to consider how it’s done. She stressed that both sides suffer and that it’s crucial to achieve a ceasefire and release the remaining hundred or so hostages. She argued that the two-state solution is the only way forward.
Trump predictably boasted that had he been president, there would be no war in Israel or Ukraine. He then launched into an attack on Harris, accusing her of hating both Israel and Arabs.
Harris called this a blatant lie, adding that Trump admires dictators and wants to become one like Putin or Kim Jong-un. She also pointed out that Trump’s former military advisors don’t respect him.
When asked how he would resolve the war in Ukraine and if he wanted Russia to win, Trump avoided a direct answer, instead accusing Europe Europe of not bearing a sufficient part of the costs for NATO and that the USA invests 250 billion while Europe only invests 100–150.
Harris said that the USA and NATO brought together 50 countries to help and defend Ukraine and that if Trump were asked, Putin would already be sitting in Kyiv tomorrow, and then attack Poland and then the whole of Europe.
Withdrawal from Afghanistan
When asked about her role in the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan and the death of soldiers, Harris said she supported the decision made by Biden along with four other presidents. She also mentioned that, for the first time in 100 years, there are no active American soldiers in a war zone. At the same time, Trump negotiated the worst deal in history, releasing 5,000 terrorists, with a Taliban representative whom he even brought to Camp David.
Trump responded by stating that back then, Taliban snipers were killing American soldiers and that he negotiated with Abdul, the Taliban leader. For 18 months, there were no casualties during his negotiations.
Race and Politics in America
When asked by the moderator why his opponent's race mattered so much to him, Trump said that it didn’t matter to him at all, although his comments and actions suggest otherwise.
Harris said it was sad that someone who wants to be the president of all Americans emphasizes racial divisions so much. She pointed out that Trump refused to rent apartments in his buildings to African Americans and had called for the execution of the Central Park Five.
Climate Change
When asked how she would fight climate change, Harris said they invested a trillion dollars in clean energy and that investment should be made in the American auto industry.
Meanwhile, Trump believes that climate change is a hoax and that Harris and Biden are destroying the country by giving car factories to China.
Final Words
In her closing statement, Harris emphasized that their focus is on the future and that it is essential to have a plan for an “Economy of Opportunity,” a strong military, and a united nation without divisions.
Trump, in his closing statement, attacked Harris and Biden, claiming they did nothing in 3.5 years. He said America has become a nation that people laugh at, that World War III is imminent, and, of course, he once again blamed immigrants for all the world’s problems.
As you can see from this debate, Vice President Harris came well-prepared with a recovery plan for the USA. She speaks based on real data and stands firmly behind her words. In contrast, her opponent, President Trump, presented only his backward and racist right-wing views, a heap of lies and false accusations, and has no solid plan for America. The only scapegoat he consistently sees for all of America’s problems is, of course, immigrants.
In my opinion, Harris claimed a clear victory in this debate and is a much better choice for president. But of course, you can form your own judgment based on what you’ve read here.
https://cryptonftworlds.blogspot.com/2024/07/trump-messiah-or-destroyer-of-usa.html
This image was created using an AI image creation program
This image was created using an AI image creation program
The suspect Ryan Wesley Routh
